An Iowa man was finally arrested Monday after he reportedly faked his death for six years in order to avoid a trial on child pornography charges.
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Jacob Greer,28, was arrested in Spanaway, Washington and placed in custody at a facility in Seattle. In April 2016, Greer was arrested on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography and officials stated they were alerted about the removal of his ankle monitor. After officials searched through his vehicle, they discovered an fake suicide note and issued a federal arrest warrant when Greer’s body was not found.
“Greer was last seen at a Wal-Mart in Kalispell, Montana, June 3, 2016, wearing a camouflage hat. Through additional interviews, investigators learned Greer was a survivalist and had plans to live off the land in remote areas of the upper western states or southern Canada, hiding out in abandoned cabins.” the U.S. Marshals Service wrote in a statement. Greer also borrowed $1,000 loan from a friend and fled Iowa with a bow, arrows, and a backpack containing survival gear.
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The statement also said Greer will be standing trial in Des Moines despite being held in Seattle. “The arrest of Jacob Greer after six years is a testament to the tenacity of Deputy U.S. Marshals and our investigative partners. Even though the case went cold, they would not quit.” said U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Iowa Ted Kamatchus.
Currently, it is unclear how he managed to survive for six years or whether someone helped him avoid law enforcement while he was on the run.
SOURCE: NPR